ucic

In a world poised on the edge of a solar system wide expansion of human civilization, the explorers on the forefront of this new era are faced with unique and frustrating technical obstacles. The standard spacesuit for Extravehicular Activity (Spacewalks), the EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit), while reliable and well-suited to the realities of work in space, restricts astronauts' mobility and visibility. The UCIC solves this with an outward-facing camera controlled by gaze tracking software.

The UCIC

The Universal Camera Interface Controller allows astronauts a greater field of vision through hands-free operation of an outward-facing camera. Mobility is heavily constrained within the Enhanced EMU, and direct control is a limited resource. The UCIC circumvents these concerns by running a gaze-tracking algorithm on a small computer connected to an inward facing camera which controls an external, modular outward facing camera. UCIC as a platform enables potential future work with zoom control, triggered high resolution image capture, automated external systems control, and augmented obstacle avoidance.

Features

Upgradeable external camera

Entirely open hardware/software stack

Compact

Low power consumption (estimated maximum 250mA, including radio (not implemented yet), at full servo draw)